Consent

Sexual assault occurs when someone commits a sexual act with or towards another person without their consent.

Consent depends on a person's ability to understand what the sexual act is, the implications of the sexual behaviour, and on the ability to make an informed choice, without force, or coercion.

Children do not have the ability to consent to any sexual act.

A person’s ability to consent to sexual activity is negated if they are under the influence of alcohol, drugs and in some cases prescribed medication that impairs thinking and awareness.